Bosh had 19 points and eight rebounds, proving that the world’s most famous strained abdominal muscle must be okay. That will put a different spin on the NBA Finals.

"Our most important player," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Bosh.

Even with Bosh's return to health, the Oklahoma City Thunder will still be favored. But if the Heat needed a lesson about overcoming doubters, all they’ll need to do is remember the Eastern Conference finals.

The Celtics were supposed to be too old and too injured to make this much of a series. They were left for dead a couple of times, the last one being after Game 6.

Facing James in his Killer mode and a sellout crowd at AmericanAirlines Arena, Boston made it obvious from the start—they weren’t going to reprise their Game 6 stinker. Ray Allen had eight points in the first quarter as Boston took a nine-point lead with 4:11 to go in the period.

Surprisingly, Brandon Bass led the Celtics with 14 points in the first half. When he stole a pass and dunked over Wade with 3:12 left, Boston took a 49-38 lead.

That was the Celtics’ biggest margin of the night. Miami cut the deficit to seven by halftime, and the game felt destined to be as tight as the overall series.

It was reflected in Rajon Rondo, who had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists. It was also reflected in the sporadic-but-timely help from Miami’s role players.

Shane Battier contributed four 3-pointers, while Bosh came off the bench to hit three of his four 3-point attempts.

"I know it will surprise a lot of other people, but I've been practicing those things all year," Bosh said of his long-range game. "We kind of knew in big-time situations they were going to be open, and I have to be able to shoot it without hesitation.”